wfn.org | TV rating system criticized

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3336 notes).

Note 3336 by UMNS on Dec. 12, 1996 at 15:29 Eastern (2570 characters).

SEARCH:   TV, television, ratings, United Methodist, Fassett
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CONTACT:  Joretta Purdue                         624(10-71B){3336}
          Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722           Dec. 12, 1996

United Methodist social activist
faults proposed TV rating system

     WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- The top executive of the social action
agency of the United Methodist Church has complained to Jack
Walenti, who heads the group charged with rating television
programming, about the proposed plan's lack of specificity.
     The Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, general secretary of the
United Methodist Board of Church and Society here, has issued a
statement expressing concern that the "proposed television rating
system does not offer parents sufficient guidance in determining
the content of television programs.
     "Instead of the proposed broad, vague categories, we strongly
suggest that the proposed rating system identify content with
symbols, such as 'V' for violence, 'S' for sex or 'L' for
language," Fassett suggested.
     The ratings being proposed by an industry group in response
to federal legislation have not been formally adopted but are
expected to be finalized before Christmas with little or no
change, although they are drawing considerable criticism. They are
to be implemented in January.
     Six rating categories overlap. Critics have observed that the
symbols do not give an indication of why the rating was assigned.
"TV-G" for general includes children and adults, while "TV-K"
includes all children and was apparently produced for children.
"TV-K7" is for children older than 7. "TV-PG" for parental
guidance apparently equates with the like rating for motion
pictures. "TV-14" is a stronger warning to parents, and "TV-M" is
for mature audiences only.
     Fassett quoted the Social Principles of the United Methodist
Church which "express disdain at current media preoccupation with
dehumanizing portrayals, sensationalized through mass media
'entertainment' and 'news.' These practices degrade humankind and
violate the teachings of Christ and the Bible."
     Labeling of contents for violence, sex or language is only a
first step in helping parents monitor the appropriateness of
television programs, Fassett said. He urged the media industry to
"improve the quality of programming shown on television."
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